OT: Update - It turns out the Red Wings are bad. Really, really bad.
There are a lot of Red Wings fans here and there were a couple of posts in mid-October showing some hope and optimism after they started 3-1 with Larkin, Mantha and Bertuzzi on fire to start the season.
Those hopes have been tragically squashed as the Wings have gone 1-10-1 in their last 12 games after getting crushed by Nashville 6-1 last night. During this 12 game stretch, the Wings have been outscored 52-20. They are currently BY FAR the worst in the NHL in goals allowed (63) and goal differential (-29). At their current pace, they will finish the season at 46 points (compared to 74 last year) which would be the 3rd worst season in Wings history.
Steve Yzerman now knows exactly what a disaster Ken Holland left him: an absurd roster made up of washed up vets who will not get another NHL contract (Nielsen, Abdelkader, Helm, Filppula - that one is on Stevie, Green, Daley, Biega, Ericsson - who was sent down to the Griffins, and Howard) and AHL'ers (Erne, Hirose, De La Rose, Ehn, Bowey and Hicketts).
There are some nice pieces in Larkin, Mantha, Bertuzzi, Hronek and maybe Athanasiou (who I think they should trade the next time he goes on a hot streak). Glendening, DeKeyser (who are both injured) and Nemeth are solid NHL players. Time will tell with Cholowski and Perlini, a former 1st round pick who they just acquired.
Then there is Jeff Blashill. I have no idea if he is a good NHL coach or not because he has not had the luxury of coaching a real NHL roster. I am starting to suspect not though as he is getting nothing from this team right now. Not sure what Yzerman will do with him but I wonder if he survives much longer. Scotty Bowman would have a hard time coaching this roster.
Bottom line, screw you Ken Holland. Good luck Steve, you are going to need it.
November 5th, 2019 at 10:28 AM ^
I'm glad I went to the home opener where Mantha scored 4 including the game winner with less than a minute to go in the game. Probably the most exciting game that will be played at LCA this season.
November 5th, 2019 at 10:51 AM ^
Chris Ilitch owns 2 teams, and both are arguably the worst in their leagues. But be patient while we rebuild and keep spending your money in District Detroit at all the Ilitch Enterprise ventures. And by golly, we will be competitive in the future.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:28 PM ^
I think you're spot on regarding the current Ilitch mindset. Mike burned to win with both the Tigers and Wings, and did everything he could to do so. It is pretty obvious the current generation of Ilitch ownership does not have that same fire . . . to the outsider it seems clear the Tigers are Wings are strictly revenue generators for the family. Since they own the teams I guess that's their prerogative but it certainly disappoints millions of people. And District Detroit, particularly the neighborhood and business development around it? A lot of people fell for that one.
November 5th, 2019 at 10:58 AM ^
Yea that's depressing. The only silver lining is that Yzerman will have more time than your average GM to turn it around.
November 5th, 2019 at 11:25 AM ^
The team needs more Russians.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:44 PM ^
So true!
November 5th, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^
Fire Blashill into the moon. It's not all on him, but he's not helping very much either. Stevie needs to step in and do something because these young players who are supposed to be getting better are being embarrassed almost nightly, at this point.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:06 PM ^
A top draft pick isn't a panacea, but it can't hurt our chances to end the 10 year quest to replace Nicklas Lidstrom
November 5th, 2019 at 12:09 PM ^
I’ve been a stout defender of Blashill, but man, this year is hard to defend. Zero improvement and catastrophic 5 goal meltdowns in game. Brutal to watch.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^
It'll get better with Yzerman in charge.
November 5th, 2019 at 12:34 PM ^
The Wings are just entering the deepest phase of a tank rebuild. They are probably two or three drafts away from starting to properly build again.
Hollands fault is that they werent at this stage 4-5 years ago.
Just do yourself a favor and look away until you hear “Wings draft next superstar at #1 overall”.
November 5th, 2019 at 3:31 PM ^
We need a catchy line about tanking for Alexis Lafreniere. Kinda like the "Lose for Hughes" that was popular last year when they ruined their lottery chances with pointless late season wins.
November 5th, 2019 at 9:48 PM ^
Like every other professional sports team in Detroit.